Method for forming aluminum sleeve

ABSTRACT

A method for forming an aluminum sleeve comprises the following steps of: preparing material; wherein an aluminum alloy substrate is prepared; forging the aluminum material into a sleeve; trimming the sleeve in detail; thermally processing the sleeve for enhancing and hardening the forged sleeve; and anodizing-processing the sleeve to form a film on the sleeve. Between the forging and thermal processing; machining the trimmed sleeve through at least one process of rolling, grinding; polishing and vibration. Between thermal processing and anode-processing, surface-processing the sleeve so as to generate a blurred surface by a sanding step. In the anode-processing, dying the sleeve so that the color of the sleeve without fading or stripping.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for forming an aluminum sleeve, wherein by the sleeve of the present invention, the reduced portion can be made easily. Furthermore, it matches the specification of RHOS and the sleeve is made of worthful material and thus it is worthful to be reused. Thereby the user will not desert the sleeve as desired.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most of current sleeves used in the electric devices are made of chromium and vanadium alloy, or iron or steel which are harmful to the human body as they are electroplated and thus in new environmental law (such as ROHS of Europe) requests to reuse the sleeves. However the electroplated sleeves made of above mentioned materials are difficult to be reused and thus this make a trouble to users.

Referring to FIG. 3, a sleeve 8 has one end with a reduced portion 81 so that one end of the sleeve has size of ⅛ inches and another end has a size of ¼ inches which are formed by forging. However for another sleeve having different portions with sizes of ¼ inches, ⅜ inches and ½ inches, it is difficult to make such kinds of sleeves. The sleeve must be formed through many times. In the processing, a number of punching steps are necessary. As a result, the sleeve will be destroyed and thus the lifetime of the sleeve is shortened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a method for forming an aluminum sleeve, wherein by the sleeve of the present invention, the reduced portion can be made easily. Furthermore, it matches the specification of RHOS and the sleeve is made of worthful material and thus it is worthful to be reused. Thereby the user will not desert the sleeve as desired.

To achieve above objects, the present invention provides a method for forming an aluminum sleeve which comprises the following steps of: preparing material; wherein an aluminum alloy substrate is prepared; forging the aluminum material into a sleeve; trimming the sleeve in detail; thermally processing the sleeve for enhancing and hardening the forged sleeve; and anode-processing the sleeve to form a film on the sleeve. Between the forging and thermal processing; machining the trimmed sleeve through at least one process of rolling, grinding; polishing and vibration. Between thermal processing and anode-processing, surface-processing the sleeve so as to generate a blurred surface by a sanding step. In the anode-processing, dying the sleeve so that the color of the sleeve without fading or stripping.

The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the processing of the method for forming an aluminum sleeve according to present invention.

FIG. 2 shows another process of method for forming an aluminum sleeve according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the sleeve according to the method for forming an aluminum sleeve of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order that those skilled in the art can further understand the present invention, a description will be described in the following in details. However, these descriptions and the appended drawings are only used to cause those skilled in the art to understand the objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, but not to be used to confine the scope and spirit of the present invention defined in the appended claims.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the process of the present invention is illustrated. The present invention has the following steps of:

Preparing material (step 1); wherein an aluminum alloy substrate is prepared. The aluminum alloy is softer than the prior art chromium and vanadium alloy so that it can be forged into a sleeve easily without extra-machining work and wearing the mold of the sleeve. Thus the cost is saved.

Forging the aluminum material into a sleeve (step 2);

Trimming the sleeve in detail (step 3);

Machining the trimmed sleeve through at least one process of rolling, grinding (step 4); polishing and vibration, etc.

Thermally processing the sleeve (step 5); wherein the sleeve is thermally processed to enhance and harden the forged sleeve;

Surface-processing the sleeve so as to generate a blurred surface by a sanding step (step 6);

Anodizing-processing the sleeve (step 7) to form a film on the sleeve so that the sleeve is rustproof and wearproof and have a desire color without fading or stripping. The surface of the sleeve may have single one color or two colors or multiple colors so as to present the size and specification of the sleeve. This is helpful to the identification of the specification of the sleeve.

Completing the sleeve through above mentioned steps which has a desired strength and high hardness and is rustproof and wearproof. Thereby the sleeve can be carried easily and conveniently.

Referring to FIG. 3, a type of the sleeve 8 of the present invention with a preset size is illustrated. The sleeve 8 has a reduced portion 81. In the prior art, it is difficult to manufacture the reduced portion 81, however by the sleeve of the present invention, the reduced portion 81 can be made easily. Furthermore, it matches the specification of RHOS and the sleeve is made of worthful material and thus it is worthful to be reused. Thereby the user will not desert the sleeve as desired.

Referring to FIG. 3, the sleeve 8 (with a single outer diameter or multiple outer diameters) according to the present invention is formed with a connecting portion 82 for receiving a socket spanner and another end thereof is formed with a locking portion (not shown) for screwing a stud or a nut. The connecting portion may be communicated to or non-communicated to the locking portion.

The present invention is thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for forming an aluminum sleeve comprising the following steps of: preparing material; wherein an aluminum alloy substrate is prepared; forging the aluminum material into a sleeve; trimming the sleeve in detail; thermally processing the sleeve for enhancing and hardening the forged sleeve; and anodizing-processing the sleeve to form a film on the sleeve.
 2. The method for forming an aluminum sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein between the forging and thermal processing; machining the trimmed sleeve through at least one process of rolling, grinding (step 4); polishing and vibration.
 3. The method for forming an aluminum sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein between thermal processing and anode-processing, surface-processing the sleeve so as to generate a blurred surface by a sanding step.
 4. The method for forming an aluminum sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the anodizing-processing, dying the sleeve so that the color of the sleeve without fading or stripping.
 5. The method for forming an aluminum sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of the sleeve has a connecting portion and another end thereof has a locking portion for locking a screwing element.
 6. The method for forming an aluminum sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is communicated to or non-communicated to the locking portion.
 7. The method for forming an aluminum sleeve as claimed in claim 1, wherein a surface of the sleeve has a single color or has multiple colors. 